Musings: the looking ahead edition

It truly is the low point of the off season. The Rangers are quiet, at least publicly, and attention around the league is primarily focussed on the CBA talks. There are still a few things we can talk about though so welcome to another musings. Jump on in.

The Hockey News wrote an article recently on why the North West division is the league’s worst. It got me thinking again about the Atlantic. It is comfortably the best in the league in my humble opinion. It’s full of depth, big market teams and is stacked with superstar, marquee names including the division worst Islanders if you respect John Tavares’ ability like I do. Given how tough the Atlantic is it really puts the Rangers’ last season performance in greater context.

Just to recap on the Anton Stralman contract; he recently signed a 2 year $3.4m contract. While I think he has a fair bit of room for improvement when you look at what other defensemen signed for this summer, its good value for a player that got better as the year progressed and who is still very young. Stralman could realistically be a 30 point player for the Rangers and if he hits that number then $1.7m/year is a bargain.

Dubi watch: I think he hits 25 goals as a Blue Jacket next year. He’ll rebound and make himself a valuable commodity once again. The Rangers will still have won the trade however and I don’t think Dubinsky will be a Jacket long term.

Tim Erixon on the other hand, has it tough. He’s clearly a big talent but Columbus actually has quite a bit of talent on the back end and it’s by no means certain he starts on opening night (whenever that may be). If Erixon struggles to establish himself next year the Nash trade looks even better for the Rangers.

First Rangers prediction for next year: they’ll have two 30 goal scorers: Rick Nash and Ryan Callahan. I’d pencil Gaborik in too if he was healthy to start the year. (Side note: who can tell me the last time the Rangers had 3 30 goal scorers in one year?)

We’ve seen several coaches get new contracts this past few months with the latest being Peter Laviolette in Philly. I wonder if Tortorella gets a new deal. I know he signed a three year deal in April 2011 but after the brilliant season the team just enjoyed I’m sure they don’t want him reaching the end of the upcoming season with just one year left on his deal. No unnecessary distractions.

Given the additional depth up front for the Rangers (the regular season with Kreider, adding Nash et al) I wonder if Carl Hagelin can even ‘just’ replicate his 38 point, 14 goal rookie season, achieved in 64 games. I think it will be tough for the Swede but he is a player that shouldn’t solely be judged on numbers. His speed is a game changing dynamic and he can play up and down the line up giving the team great flexibility.

If I were Glen Sather I’d have an eye toward the future and be looking to move Mats Zuccarello for a draft pick. Clubs like Detroit who aren’t afraid to use small forwards, who missed out on several targets this offseason and who are looking to add offense would probably throw a conditional pick to the Rangers for the talented winger who clearly has no future with the Rangers. Even a mid-round pick would be worth it given the Rangers draft success in recent times.

Question Time:

Who scores more goals for their new team: Brandon Prust or Aaron Asham?

Suit
I only differ with you on Prust, I believe that Asham is a better offensive player, and will score more than Prust. If healthy, Gabby could also have a 30+ season, and we could have 4 70 point players, Richards, Nash, Gabby, and Callie!

Personally I dont think Cally will ever stay healthy enough to get higher than 60 points/season. He lays his body on the line too much and has already miss a chunk of games. That said, i wouldnt change him at all.

1. Prust (he will have more opportunities also).
2. Over (Rangers must know something if they let Erixon go to Columbus.
3. MDZ (by a lot).
4. Yes (but not by much).
5. 2 (Same 2 as The Suit states, Nash and Richie).

Who scores more goals for their new team: Brandon Prust or Aaron Asham – Prust at least doubles Ashams production.
Michael Sauer: over or under 50 games played this coming season? Under
Who scores more points on the blueline, McDonagh, Del Zotto or another? MDZ, no question
Will Chris Kreider break the twenty goal barrier as a rookie? I hope, but say no
How many Rangers will break the 70 point barrier? Lets hope 5 (Nash, Cally, Gabby, Richards & TBD) Would be great if Boyle & Krieder combine for 90 pts)

I’m surprised people think there’s no question that MDZ scores more than McD? McD is just scratching the surface of his talent and he was only 9 points behind last year. I’d say MDZ will score more but its by no means a forgone conclusion.

I will take a wild card and say Staal. I still think he is our most gifted all around defenseman… but between McD and MDZ ill take McD

Kreider comes close to 20, maybe more. Depends a lot on how long Gabby is out for and who he gets paired with.

2 Nash and Richards… i agree with Alex though, Stepan could be the dark horse again depending on how long Gabby is out for.

Vezina for Hank again? I just want him to have won as many if not more than Tim Thomas. The guy is a joke and should not be able to say that he played during the same time as Henrik and won more Vezina’s… complete joke

I agree with predictions with a few comments:
Prust…but he doesn’t fit into montreal’s high speed team
Agree
Disagree..MZD because he will get the most pp time, staal second
Agree… kreider will have around 20, maybe less
Agree
Hank…will not have the season like last, team style will change and play more in offensive end, giving up more 2 on 1 chances

Not sure about your comments with Torts and giving him an extension just yet. Torts is signed for 2 years as well as our entire core. I think the next 2 years is our window to win with the cast we have. If torts cannot do it in the next 2 years given the talent we have and another bonafide scoring machine in nash, we may need to look for a different coach in 2 years

I personally like Torts and would not care if we re signed him at this point, but I also think sustained success is necessary before giving him an extension.

Prust
Under
McDonaugh
Yes, over 20
3 (Nash, Richards, Stepan)
*Steps is an extreme dark horse here, I’m just going out on a limb and making a bold prediction. If I go 5 for 5 here, how about a one article per week spot next yr boys??

It is interesting that Stepan is in quite a few 50 pont predictions. It may eventually rely on who he is aligned with. Put him with a corner-digger, than he has to put it in. Put Gabby with him, and his role changes to more of an assist man. Either way, if we get 70 points out of him, we should be doing okay!

A year from now we could be calling for the head of torts. Don’t give him another contract extention until we see where they go next year. He could just as easily burn out this team in a manner similar to Keenan